20 Best Cocktails with Maraschino Liqueur

If you’re in the mood for something unique, try one of these easy cocktails with Maraschino liqueur.

They’re sweet, lightly nutty, and perfectly boozy.

Maraschino Cocktails & Drinks Recipes

Maraschino liqueur is a clear Italian spirit with subtle sweetness and rosy, almondy flavor.

Made from maraca cherries, it’s how maraschino cherries got their name – they were once preserved in the liqueur.

When used in mixed drinks, this delightful addition helps to accentuate other flavors while providing a few mild notes of its own. 

So if you’re curious, let’s try a few cocktails with Maraschino liqueur!

1. Aviation

Aviation is a classic cocktail made of gin, lemon juice, and Maraschino liqueur – aka, an iconic combination of flavors. 

It’s refreshing and light on the tongue, with a delicate hint of almond from the cherry-based liqueur.

It also pairs nicely with a variety of foods. And despite its complex flavor profile, it’s surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients: gin, Maraschino liqueur, Crème de Violette, lemon juice, Luxardo cherry (for garnish)

2. Last Word

Here’s a roaring 20s cocktail with herbal, sweet, and sour notes. And they blend together beautifully.

Feel free to add simple syrup to soften the flavors.

But as it’s written, The Last Word is unique in its complexity and heavenly aromas. And it’s timeless among those in the know.

Ingredients: gin, Maraschino Liqueur, green Chartreuse, lime juice

3. Tuxedo No. 2

Tuxedo No. 2 is a sophisticated yet deceptively smooth cocktail perfect for sipping on chilly evenings. 

It starts with gin and dry Vermouth, then adds a bit of cherry liqueur and bitters.

But there’s a surprise ingredient that brings a wallop of flavor, including anise and fennel.

Ingredients: gin, dry Vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, Absinthe, orange bitters, lemon twist (for garnish)

4. Lost Lake Cocktail

If this tiki-style cocktail doesn’t get you in the mood for a vacation, I don’t know what will.

It’s a tropical, sweet, and boozy drink that’ll put your usual Bahama Mama to shame!

Just be sure to get aged Jamaican rum. There’s really no substitute.

Ingredients: aged Jamaican rum, passion fruit syrup, lime juice, pineapple juice, Maraschino liqueur, Campari

5. Maraschino & Old Tom Mint Julep

As the name suggests, this one needs a couple of specific ingredients.

Old Tom gin is a lighter and less botanical blend, making it ideal for gin-haters and newcomers.

Meanwhile, the cherry and mint notes are super refreshing and wonderfully sweet.

Ingredients: Old Tom gin, Maraschino liqueur, simple syrup, mint sprig, lime juice

6. The #100 Champagne Cocktail

If you enjoy the strong and bubbly flavor of the French 75, try this Number 100 cocktail.

It has the same fundamental base, with citrus and Champagne. But instead of botanical gin, you’ll add cherry liqueur.

It makes it fruitier and a little sweeter. And I love it!

Ingredients: Champagne or Prosecco, Maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, twist of lemon (for garnish)

7. Martinez

This versatile drink features a mix of spirits and a dash of Boker’s bitters. 

The bitters bring notes of cardamom, orange, and coffee. There’s also a woodsy undertone I think you’ll really like.

It offers subtle, sweet, and rich flavors that’ll please everyone’s taste buds with every sip. 

Ingredients: gin, sweet Vermouth, dry Vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, Boker’s bitters

8. Cherry Negroni

The Cherry Negroni is a delightful twist on one of the most googled drinks of the last couple of years.

Unlike its more traditional namesake that’s pretty citrussy, this variation has a richer and fruitier profile. 

An impressive-looking concoction, the vibrant red hue is sure to turn heads.

Ingredients: pitted cherries, Maraschino liqueur, gin, Campari, orange peel (for garnish)

9. Pink Cherry Blossom 

The sweet aroma of pink cherry blossoms comes alive with this delicious cocktail. 

You’ll get hints of juniper with plenty of tart citrus, plus a generous floral fragrance.

And the deep pink color makes it look just as good as it tastes. Yum!

Ingredients: Gin Lane 1751, Maraschino liqueur, lime juice, rose water, Maraschino cherry (for garnish)

10. Brooklyn

A timeless classic, The Brooklyn has a flawless blend of sweet and spicy, along with an intoxicating aroma that’ll leave you wanting more.

It’s the sweeter, fruitier cousin of the Manhattan. So if you like that, you’ll love this.

The recipe calls for Amer Picon, a French liqueur with an unusual flavor profile. Substitute it with Ramazzotti Amaro or Amaro Montenegro if you can’t find it.

Ingredients: rye, dry Vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, Amer Picon

11. Casino 

This throwback drink is lesser known but well worth a try.

It’s a lot like the Aviation recipe above, only there’s no Crème de Violette. So it doesn’t have that same floral finish.

Instead, it’s got an intriguingly tart flavor. 

The cherry liqueur offers sweetness, of course. But it’s not a sweet drink. I’d say it’s balanced, but it leans to the tart side of things.

Ingredients: Old Tom gin, Maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, orange bitters

12. Gingery Grapefruit Salty Dogs

These upgraded Salty Dogs are the perfect way to celebrate the coming summer months.

The OG recipe features gin or vodka with grapefruit juice and sometimes lime or lemon juice.

But as you’ve likely guessed, this one adds a couple of fun elements. Namely ginger and cherry.

Ingredients: vodka, grapefruit juice, ginger beer, Maraschino liqueur, grapefruit slices & cherries (for garnish)

13. Mary Pickford

Mary Pickford was a popular Canadian-born silent film actress and producer in the early 1900s. 

And this cocktail is made in her honor.

It’s sweet, fruity, and deliciously tropical. And that pink hue is just stunning, don’t you think?

Ingredients: white rum, pineapple juice, Grenadine, Maraschino liqueur

14. Pop My Cherry Margarita

This tequila-based drink blends sweet cherry flavors with citrus and simple syrup for a truly refreshing bevvy. 

Like the recipe above, it’s got a stunning color. Only this one is darker and less delicate – in taste as well as looks!

The muddled cherries should be fresh and ripe. And you can add more if you like extra flavor. Either way, I know you’ll love it.

Ingredients: cherries, reposado tequila, Maraschino liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup

15. Hemingway Daiquiri 

If you think daiquiris are just fruity blended drinks, wait until you taste this!

The OG recipe is Cuban, and it simply features rum, lime juice, and sugar served on the rocks.

This version is said to have been the drink of choice for Hemingway when he was living in Cuba.

And whether or not that’s true, it’s a pretty delicious recipe. So give it a try and see what all the fuss is about.

Ingredients: white rum, grapefruit juice, lime juice, Maraschino liqueur, simple syrup

16. Coronation

I have a feeling you’ll be seeing this Coronation cocktail a lot in 2023. After all, it’s happening in early May!

But even if you won’t be throwing a watch party, it’s a drink you should try at least once.

There’s earthy sherry and herby vermouth, plus a layer of orange to tie it all together. And it looks pretty posh with a citrus twist!

Ingredients: Fino sherry, dry Vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, orange bitters, orange peel (for garnish)

17. Chinese Fizz

This punch is prepared in a tall glass and garnished with an orange slice for added flair. 

Its alluring aroma comes from the combination of fruits. And there’s plenty of sweet and tart flavor to keep you coming back for more.

The recipe calls for Appleton Estate rum, which is a type of aged Jamaican rum. So you can use any other brand, and it’ll still be yummy.

Ingredients: Appleton Estate rum, Triple Sec, Maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, Grenadine, egg white, Angostura bitters, orange wedge (for garnish)

18. Royal Hawaiian with Maraschino

The Royal Hawaiian cocktail will whisk you away to paradise after just one sip.

If you’ve ever made (or enjoyed) a Mai Tai, you’ll know just how yummy Orgeat syrup is.

If not, just know it’s lightly nutty and sweet with a delightful orange finish. And it pairs so well with cherry!

Ingredients: gin, Maraschino liqueur, Orgeat syrup, pineapple juice, lemon juice

19. Improved Whiskey Cocktail

Most whiskey fans have tried the Old Fashioned and Sazerac cocktails. And this recipe is like the two came together and had a love child.

Featuring many of the same potent flavors, including rye or bourbon and bitters, it’s robust and not for the faint of heart.

Luckily, the cherry liqueur brings a mellow sweetness to balance everything beautifully.

Ingredients: rye or bourbon, Maraschino liqueur, simple syrup, Absinthe, Perchaud’s bitters, Angostura bitters, lemon peel (for garnish)

20. Partridge In A Cherry Tree

This elegant cocktail is remarkably sweet and floral and totally perfect for the holidays.

The enchanting color is all down to my favorite new gin, Empress 1908. That blends wonderfully with the cherry.

Meanwhile, there’s a bit of chocolate in the background, along with citrus. Delish!

Ingredients: Empress gin 1908, Maraschino liqueur, Crème de Cacao, bergamot liqueur, orange bitters